Tech Today: Apple Mac OS X Lion set for launch next week

Apple Stores preparing for Mac OS X Lion launch The hotly-anticipated launch of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will be within the next week according to AppleInsider. The site has been informed that necessary RAM upgrades will take place over the weekend followed by an overnight upgrade to Lion for all in-store models. The MacBook Air refresh should follow a week later.Link: AppleInsider

Americans will get cheaper Spotify...the cheek! The US version of Spotify will be cheaper than in the UK, according to a leaked sign-up flow. Americans will be $4.99 for Unlimited and $9.99 for Premium. Although that sounds the same as the UK tariffs, the dollar-to-pound conversion means that it'll only cost £2.99 and £5.99. Link:TechCruch

Google+ invites temporarily re-opened, now closed again Google has doubled the amount of users with access to Google+ by briefly re-opening the invitation process. The company encouraged users to invite only their nearest and dearest in a post on Wednesday night. The invitation process is now closesLink:TechRadar

Motorola Xoom could get Android 3.2 update soon A patch to fix Android 3.1 bugs experienced by Motorola Xoom owners will arrive "within days" according to a Google staffer speaking at an Android Open Source Platform discussion. The staffer failed to mention what other goodies might arrive within Android 3.2, if that's what this patch turns out to be.Link: Electronista

Google Maps app goes offline. Hell. Yes. It's the Google Maps feature we've all been waiting for. The app for Android now allows users to navigate their local area without the need for a data connection. The 5.7 feature, which also adds Transit Navigation now downloads local maps, within a 10 mile, to your handset meaning you can still use the app when out of reach of signal.Link: Gizmodo

News@8: Thursday saw more rumours of an iPad 3 release later this year, while the link-up between Facebook and Skype was fully detailed. There was news of 3D games for LG's Optimus 3D smartphone, while Apple lost its legal battle to stop Amazon using the term 'Appstore.' Catch-up on this and more in our daily News@8 round-up.